The Illustrated Atlas of Surfing History
Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel
Famed surf artist Ron Croci is a multimedia artist with over 40 years of commercial and fine art experience whose paintings are in galleries around the world.
Ever since meeting Ron a few years ago at the International Surfing Museum in Huntington Beach SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel have been big fans.
A true waterman, Croci’s love of surfing and diving comes through in all of his paintings, which are energetic blends of color and movement.
So, when Croci told SurfWriter Girls that his new book, The Illustrated Atlas of Surfing History (written by Joel Smith and Illustrated by Croci), was out, we were excited to see his latest creation.
For the Illustrated Atlas, Smith (a documentary filmmaker and TV writer-producer)) and Croci speculate on just how far back surfing goes. To before the early Polynesians.
To ancient Egypt and Syria 10,000 years ago. Or maybe even to the Stone Age.
With each page in the book, Croci’s illustrations vividly bring the history of surfing to life.
Croci, who got his start in advertising and film, helped design over 200 ads for the likes of 7-Up, Swatch watches, and Quiksilver’s Roxy division and worked on the design teams for close to 50 films from The Blues Brothers to Planet of the Apes and Ghostbusters. He’s also been in high demand as a book illustrator.
When it comes to using a pencil, brush or stylus, there isn’t anything Croci can’t do!
The Illustrated Atlas of Surfing History shows just how talented Ron Croci is… taking you right into the barrel of the waves.
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Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel hold the exclusive rights to this copyrighted material. Publications wishing to reprint it may contact them at surfwriter.girls@gmail.com Individuals and non-profit groups are welcome to post it on social media sites as long as credit is given.
“I agree! I have a copy signed by Ron and author Joel Smith.” -Rick Wilson, Senior Scientist for Surfrider Foundation Global